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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers

IPG (Brandenton, FL) has developed the Genesys OXO-Biodegradable High Performance Machine Film, which is a light-gauge cast film available in 50, 63, of 75 gauge thicknesses. Genesys is designed for use on automated stretch wrapping equipment. The films biodegrade much more quickly than standard stretch films when exposed to oxygen and sunlight, leaving no harmful by-products or impact on the environment.

Detcon’s (The Woodlands, TX) condulet enclosures are designed to house a wide range of instruments used to detect, monitor, measure, and control gases within hazardous areas. The Aluminum J-Box has a 4.25” internal diameter, the 316SS J-Box has a 3.5” internal diameter, and the Mini 316SS J-Box as a 2.

LENOX, Mass. (AP) — Once a dumping ground for chemicals, a stretch of the Housatonic River that winds near this Berkshires hamlet is being scoured in a lengthy, expensive cleanup. Now, dredging other parts of the riverbed is under consideration, but the fishers, bird watchers and swimmers who would benefit are wondering how much effort is too much.

NEW YORK (AP) — The auto industry calls it range anxiety: Drivers want electric cars but worry they won't have enough juice to make long trips. After all, what good is going green if you get stranded with a dead battery?
It's a fear that automakers must overcome as they push to sell more battery-powered cars.

CONSHOHOKEN, Pa. (AP) — As the region stumbles around in a recession hangover, Dean Jerrehian is an odd assemblage of calm, cheerfulness, and optimism for a guy making a living in one of the economy's hardest-hit sectors — manufacturing.
He credits yoga. No, not his practice of it, though he does an impressive downward dog.

NASHWAUK, Minn. (AP) — For the first time in nearly 25 years, the Itasca County town of Nashwauk has been rattled by explosions this summer.
That's not unusual in northeast Minnesota's iron mining country, but in Nashwauk, the sound has been a long time in coming.
After more than a decade of planning, blasting is a first step toward Essar Steel's huge project that will combine an iron mine, taconite pellet plant and steel mill.

NEW YORK (AP) — Does that smart phone in your pocket contribute to rape and murder in the depths of Africa? Soon, you'll know: A new U.S. law requires companies to certify whether their products contain minerals from rebel-controlled mines in Congo and surrounding countries.
It's a move aimed at starving the rebels of funds and encouraging them to lay down their arms.

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — The Ford Explorer, the hulking family-hauler that helped launch the SUV boom in the early 1990s, is back. And it hopes to define a new generation of more streamlined, fuel-efficient sport utility vehicles.
Ford begins a marketing campaign Monday for the 2011 Ford Explorer, which will be in dealerships this winter.

We've all heard about the Taser, so much so that it's starting to get a bad reputation. Enter the "Dazer Laser." According to the manufacturer, it can be used to disorient suspects without resorting to harsher techniques like the aforementioned Taser. Based on the video below, it would certainly seem to be effective at being incredibly annoying, at least.

Dear Niece,
Thank you for making me a very proud aunt. It’s my first time, and I’m extremely excited about the new addition to our clan. I plan on spoiling the bejesus out of you, being there for you, and doing everything that a good aunt is supposed to do, at the best of my ability anyways, and always.

Barco (Batavia, IL) developed the E-Series air union to meet the demand of maintaining production performance in applications such as clutches, winches, and braking action on a manufacturing floor. The product is constructed with a hard, corrosion-resistant surface that can withstand the harshest of conditions.

Computer Imprintable Label Systems (CILS — Burlington, MA) has launched their new CIL8200S Metalized polyester range of chemical-resistant labels, which can be customed “in-house” using a Thermal Transfer Printer. The labels, when used in combination of thermal transfer ribbons, resist a range of chemicals and solvents, and are suitable for rating plate and batch ID labels for fuel valves, hydraulic pumps, flow control gauges, and more.

Master Magnetics, Inc. (Castle Rock, CO) has announced the Magnetic Cup Caddy, a beverage holder designed with the warehouse or manufacturing plant in mind. The Caddy magnetically attracts to any flat ferrous metal surface, making it ideal for use on a forklift, toolbox, or filing cabinet. It holds an insulated mug, a hot or cold container, an aluminum can, or a fountain cup.

Master Bond Inc. (Hackensack, NJ) has developed the Polymer System EP31 for use with a variety of substrates, including metals, plastics, rubbers, ceramics, and glass. The two-part system has a lap shear strength exceeding 4,600 psi, a peel strength of more than 40 pli, a tensile modulus of more than 410,000 psi, and a flexural strength that exceeds 13,000 psi.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A company plans to bring a manufacturing operation to Maine's former Brunswick Naval Air Station after the base closes, creating up to 250 jobs.
Gov. John Baldacci says Kestrel aircraft company will start with 50 to 75 jobs, and then expand.
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said Friday at the announcement in the Augusta State Airport that "any time you talk about new jobs coming to Maine — that's good news.

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is getting into the subprime lending business. And that means taxpayers are, too.
But these car loans aren't as risky as you might think.
GM, majority owned by taxpayers, is buying a company that makes car loans to shoppers with poor credit. Unlike home loans, though, the risk in subprime auto lending is relatively low and may reward GM.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Computer maker Dell Inc. is paying $100 million to settle civil charges that it fraudulently used payments from Intel to pump up its profits to meet Wall Street targets over five years, the government announced Thursday.
Under the settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, company Chairman and CEO Michael Dell also agreed to pay a separate $4 million civil penalty.

MONACA, Pa. (AP) — An explosion Thursday at a zinc smelting plant in western Pennsylvania killed two people and injured at least one, authorities said.
A worker who initially had been reported missing was among the dead, Beaver County emergency dispatcher Kevin Joy said. The rest of the work force at the Horsehead Corp.

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. posted a strong second-quarter profit Friday but trimmed its U.S. sales forecast and predicted weaker results in the second half as the economy slowly recovers.
The automaker surprised Wall Street, making $2.6 billion in the quarter as it continued to grab sales from rivals.